Gender Inequities Promote Violence Against Women

Gender-based violence is a widespread problem throughout the entire world. Statistics show that up to one-third of women have been coerced into sex, beaten or otherwise abused. This is often at the hands of someone the woman knows — a husband or even other family members. Astonishingly one-quarter of women have experienced abuse while pregnant.

This gender-based violence is a reflection of the inequalities that exist between the genders. The victims security, dignity, health and autonomy are ultimately compromised because this type of violence. This violence includes child abuse, domestic violence, rape, human trafficking and traditional practices. These abuses leave scars, both physical and psychological, in addition to damaging the overall health of the victims.

This type of violence against women has been called the most pervasive yet is the least recognized type of human-rights violations throughout the world. The Fourth World Conference on Women made this a priority issue. This violence not only jeopardizes the lives, psychological health and freedom of women it has many other effects including:

–Unplanned or unwanted pregnancies. There are restrictions placed on access to contraception and other family planning options.

–Complications from high-risk pregnancies.

–Sexually transmitted diseases, including STDs and AIDS.

–Unsafe abortions.

This gender-based violence also leads to allowing the continuation of male control and power over the female. The violence is allowed to continue through cultural norms of silence and denial. While these violent acts affect the individual, overall society is affect via an unnecessary load on healthcare services.

Gender inequalities are linked to this gender-based violence. This is because of the expected subservience of women and girls and their attitudes toward health care, which can be harmfully affected.

There are many organizations that are trying to help women gain the voices to be heard and then perhaps this vicious cycle will be broken.